MTU's Ark, AU's Frierson, WSU's Roberson Earn GLIAC Football Players of the Week

MTU's Ark, AU's Frierson, WSU's Roberson Earn GLIAC Football Players of the Week
Posted: Nov 18, 2019

GLIAC -- The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) has announced its weekly awards following the final week of the 2019 GLIAC football regular season. Michigan Tech Junior Quarterback Will Ark garnered Offensive Player of the week honors, while Ashland Senior Safety Cedric Frierson earned GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week recognition, along with Wayne State Senior Kick Returner Darece Roberson who was awarded GLIAC Special Teams Player of the Week.

 

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Will Ark, Michigan Tech

Michigan Tech quarterback Will Ark had a huge game in helping lead the Huskies to a 34-21 win over Northwood in the 2019 regular season finale. Ark completed 20 of 26 passes for 317 yards and two touchdowns. Both scoring passes were thrown in the fourth quarter and were the final two touchdowns of the game, helping Tech stop a comeback bid by Northwood. Senior Jacob Wenzlick reeled in both catches, one for 73 yards and the other for 12 yards. Ark wrapped up the season with 128 completions for 1,631 yards and 10 touchdowns in eight games. Ark finished second in the GLIAC in passing yards per game with 203.9 and tied for fourth in the conference with 10 touchdown passes. In the rushing department, Ark tacked on two additional touchdowns and averaged 22.3 yards per game on the ground in 2019.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Cedric Frierson, Ashland

On Saturday (Nov. 16) afternoon, Ashland University senior safety Cedric Frierson recorded the first two interceptions of his Eagle career on Senior Day against Northern Michigan at Jack Miller Stadium/Martinelli Field. On Monday (Nov. 18) morning, Frierson concluded his collegiate playing days with an award, as he was named the 2019 Week 11 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week. Frierson’s first pick on Saturday was in the first quarter, with Northern Michigan already ahead 3-0. His second interception came early in the second quarter, leading to an Eagle touchdown and a 14-3 advantage. With Frierson recording two of Ashland’s three takeaways on Saturday, he led an Eagle defensive effort which yielded just 51 passing yards – the fewest all season by 96 yards. Frierson started the final four games of 2019 at safety after beginning the season as a wide receiver, then moving to cornerback. He ended 2019 with 26 total tackles (13 solos), the two interceptions, two pass breakups and three quarterback hurries.

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Darece Roberson, Wayne State

Wayne State University senior wide receiver/returner Darece Roberson, Jr. had two kickoff returns for 140 yards in the win at No. 19-Grand Valley State, including a 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown which snapped a 7-7 deadlock.   It was WSU's first kickoff return for a touchdown since Deiontae Nicholas went 97 yards vs. Walsh on October 15, 2016, and Roberson, Jr.'s return tied-for-second longest in the 102 years of Warrior football with Dick Lisabeth who also had a 96-yard kickoff return on Sept. 22, 1951, at Iowa State.  Roberson, Jr. finished the year with 10 kickoff returns for 323 yards (32.3 yards per return), which would have led the GLIAC if he had enough returns to qualify.

 

HONORABLE MENTION

OFFENSE: Tajae Leslie (NU), Deiontae Nicholas (WSU), Chad Gailliard (SVSU), Jeffrey Barnett (AU) 

DEFENSE: Dimitri Abro (NU), Robert Clanton (DU), Nate LaJoie (MTU),Brandon Tuck-Hayden (WSU), Michael Wollridge (SVSU), Cedric Frierson (AU)

SPECIAL TEAMS: Parker Blust (NU), Nate Couturier (DU), Evan Gornick (MTU), Casey Williams (SVSU), Ryan Coleman (AU) 

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